Macquarie Memo Issue 11 2023

News from the Deputy Principal

We have had a really great start to term 2. It was great to see all the students back, smiling and ready for learning. We also welcomed Kristy Grant as our new Principal and Karrina Patterson as our new Business Manager. They are both available at any time if you wish to speak to them, and will introduce themselves in next week’s newsletter.

We also say a farewell to Ami Grover who is moving over to Florey Primary School to take up a mainstream classroom teaching role. Ami has been a longstanding teacher here at Macquarie who will be missed by students and staff. Ami has held a range of positions including classroom teaching, preschool teaching and co-facilitating our performing arts specialist program during her time with us and has imparted a wealth of knowledge to many people. We wish Ami the very best of luck in her new school.

Domain 9: School-community partnerships is the final domain in the National School Improvement Tool. In this area, the school actively seeks ways to enhance student learning and wellbeing by partnering with parents and families, other education and training institutions, local businesses and community organisations. Parents and families are recognised as integral members of the school community and partners in their children’s education. Strategic partnerships are established to address identified student needs and operate by providing access to experiences, support and intellectual and/or physical resources not available within the school. This is an area we have worked hard in across the past few years. With thanks to the P&C, a large chunk of our success is attributed to the range of grants we have successfully applied for which have enabled a whole range of projects and programs across the school including the Garden Side Café, the purchase of Mirri our wellbeing dog, the implementation of small group intervention across years 1 to 6, targeted student access to Cool Kids, Warehouse Circus, art therapy classes, social skills building groups, African drumming, Lil our horticulturalist, and much more. We are very proud of the work we do in enhancing our community connection.

I hope everyone has a relaxing weekend.

Stacey

2024 school year enrolments are open

Enrolments for the 2024 school year for students transitioning schools or starting at a school are open. Visit education.act.gov.au for the online application link and information about the school in your child’s Priority Enrolment Area. School information sessions for prospective students are being held throughout May. Alternately, visit school websites to find out more or contact the school directly. Apply by 2 June to receive an offer by 24 July 2023.

Year 5/6 Health content- for newsletter

Board News

Thank you to the members of the community who participated in the voting process for 2023 board members. The election process has now concluded and we can now inform that 2023 board members are as follows:

P&C member                     Leah Ashley

Parent member                Sander de Vries

Parent member                Jenny Coyne

Staff member                    Mariam Hijazi

Staff member                    Brooke Behan

Apply now for the Future of Education Equity Fund 2023

Apply now for the Future of Education Equity Fund for the 2023 school year. Eligible low-income ACT families can receive one-off payments for financial aid to help cover the costs of their children’s educational costs, such as sport equipment and activities, music lessons, school uniforms and excursions.

The Fund is open to eligible students enrolled in preschools that are attached to an ACT government school, through to Year 12 in the ACT. Further information and the online application form is available at https://www.education.act.gov.au/support-for-our-students/financial-and-resource-assistance-for-families

Staying COVID Smart in 2023

Students, staff and visitors are reminded to:

• Stay home if unwell and get tested for COVID-19
• Stay up to date with your vaccinations
• Practise good hand and respiratory hygiene
• Physically distance from others when in public places

Individual schools may implement additional measures to manage COVID-19 if deemed necessary in a particular setting. Any changes will be communicated to parents and carers.

If your child has COVID-19, you must let the school know. We recommend keeping your child home for at least five days.

RATs are again available from the school for students in term 1 from the front office.

You can read more about how we are being COVID Smart in ACT public schools at https://www.education.act.gov.au/public-school-life/covid-school-arrangements

News from the P&C

P&C uniform shop

In Term 2 the volunteer run P&C Uniform shop will be open:

Mondays & Fridays 8:45am – 9:15am, and every second Wednesday (even  weeks 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10) 3:00pm – 3:30pm.

Orders for new uniform items can be placed via www.flexischools.com.au and will be sent home with students.

Get ready for the athletics carnival – there is a small selection of new ($5) and 2nd hand ($2) house coloured shirts available in the shop.

Donations of pre-loved uniform items are gratefully accepted during open times.

If you can help in the shop on Wednesday afternoons once a fortnight please get in touch with the shop coordinators Liz and Julie uniforms.mps@gmail.com.

Term 2 P&C Meeting

Please come along to our Term 2 P&C meeting next Wednesday 3 May, 6:00pm – 7:15pm at the Garden Side Café. We would love to hear any ideas you have on how make our school an even better place to be, or simply come and meet some new people in our community. Everyone is welcome! If you have any questions please contact Liz coms.macquariepandc@gmail.com.

Notes / Reminders

All notes are available on our school website.

Community Notices

Contact Details